Welcome!You joined the Chamber... Now What?

New CBICC Member Kit

Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County | 814-234-1829 | Fax 814-234-5869 | cbicc@cbicc.org | www.cbicc.org

Thank you for making the decision to become a member of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, the largest

organization in Centre County representing businesses.

Members who get the most out of their membership are those who participate in the Chamber’s activities. In order to help you better understand the various benefits and opportunities we offer, we have put together a packet of information which will help you become better acquainted with the CBICC. A great way for you to learn more about how you can get the most out of your membership is to attend a Chamber Information Session. These fun, free, and informal sessions are held at the CBICC office, and we’ve included an information and registration form for our upcoming session.

As a CBICC member, you will now be receiving our bi-weekly newsletter, InstaNews, and our quarterly publication, ChamberNet. These publications are distributed electronically and will keep you up to date on Chamber events and important information relevant to the business community.

In the near future, you will be receiving a call from one of our Ambassadors who will be happy to answer any questions you might have. The Ambassadors are a great resource for new members and are easily identified at events by their red “Ambassador” badge.

Please take a few minutes to read the important information we’ve enclosed for you. We sincerely appreciate your membership in the CBICC and look forward to helping you achieve the business success you desire! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like additional information.

Sincerely,

Jean GerberVice President, Chamber Operations

Be active! Get Engaged!

You’re a member of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC)! Now what? You’ve made this fantastic investment for your business, now make the most of it!

Not sure what programs, committees, or sponsorships are a good fit for you or your organization? Are you looking to get connected with a particular individual/business? Unsure of what the CBICC has to offer? Or just trying to figure out what being a member means to you and your business?

That’s how we make it easy! Simply contact us at (814) 234-1829. We want to learn more about your organization and what you’re looking to get out of your membership and explore some of the Chamber opportunities that might be a good fit for your business.

Let us help you connect to the opportunities that best fit your needs. Here is your invitation… now get engaged!

Step #1: Clearly identify what you hope to gain from your membershipThe Chamber has a variety of programs you can choose to get involved in, depending on what you hope to gain from your membership. Whether you are interested in networking, public policy/advocacy, workforce development, economic development or any of our other focus areas, there is something for everyone.

Focus on the events and activities that support your membership goals.

The Chamber staff and volunteers are here to help you get the most out of your membership. Let us know what you do and what you want to accomplish by being a member of the CBICC. When we know your business and understand what you are looking for, we will be better equipped to assist you and direct you to those programs and services that will help you reach your goals.

Step #2: Include your entire staff in your

membershipYour membership includes your entire staff, and the CBICC offers a variety of programs and initiatives that benefit individuals in all types

of positions within an organization. The more staff members that are actively involved in the CBICC, the greater return on investment you will receive.

We encourage you to route any electronic communications to your staff or add additional staff members to the list to receive electronic communications directly from the CBICC.

Step #3: Read CBICC communications

Every other Monday you will receive our electronic InstaNews, which contains information on upcoming events, division updates, and member benefits. We

know you are busy but would encourage you to take a few minutes to skim through InstaNews so you can stay on top of what’s happening at the CBICC.

You will also receive our quarterly electronic publication, ChamberNet. This publication contains more detailed information from each of the CBICC’s divisions along with updates on CBICC committees, taskforces, and initiatives.

Step #4: Check the on-line CBICC events calendarOne of the best ways to get value from your investment is to attend CBICC programs and events regularly. The CBICC strives to meet the needs of its members by offering a variety of programs - Business After Hours, Chamber “U”niversity, Membership Luncheons, and Business Before Hours, just to name a few.

The best place for the most up-to-date information is the events calendar at www.cbicc.org. Check the calendar often and make sure you attend the programs and events that interest you.

Step #5: Join the Social NetworkConnect with us and your fellow CBICC members on facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

10 Steps... to Membership Success

200 Innovation Blvd, Suite 150 • State College PA 16803 • P (814) 234-1829 • F (814) 234-5869 • W www.cbicc.org

Step #6: Make your membership pay for itselfEven if you never attend a CBICC event, your membership can pay for itself when you take advantage of the savings available to you through our ChamberDeal$ and Member-2-Member programs. ChamberDeal$ offers savings in the areas of worker’s compensation, health insurance, business insurance, personal auto insurance, and office supplies.

The Member-2-Member program allows members to post coupons on our website and take advantage of offers by other CBICC members.

Step #7: Bring business cards to events & keep them with you at all timesNetworking is the #1 reason businesses join the CBICC, so make the most of these events by keeping a supply of your business cards with you at all times.

Step #8: Offer to volunteerVolunteering is a great way to get more involved in the CBICC and to get to know other CBICC members. Whether you’d like to help out at an event or

serve on a taskforce, there are lots of opportunities throughout the year. If you’d like to be added to our volunteer list, just e-mail events@cbicc.org and let us know of your interest.

Step #9: Maximize the referrals to your business from the CBICCChamber websites are the number one place people go to when looking for information on a community, so even if you never step foot inside a CBICC event, your membership is working hard for you every day.

To maximize your exposure and referrals to your business, make sure your listing is accurate and keep us informed of any changes within your organization. If you have staff, address, e-mail, or website address changes, you can either update your information using the Members Only section of our website or just give us a call and we’ll take care of it for you!

Step #10:Support other CBICC MembersThe membership of the CBICC is comprised of companies that share your interest in making our

community grow and prosper, and we encourage you to look to these businesses first when making your purchasing decisions.

Our hardcover CBICC Membership Directory contains both alphabetical and categorical listings for our members, but the most up-to-date information can be found at our on-line business directory on www.cbicc.org.

Utilize these two resources to help support those businesses, like yours, who support the CBICC!

200 Innovation Blvd, Suite 150 • State College PA 16803 • P (814) 234-1829 • F (814) 234-5869 • W www.cbicc.org

New Member Checklist

Here is a list of actions to help you get your

membership off to a great start:

o Review the materials provided in your New

Member Packet

o Check your on-line listing to make sure all

of your company’s information is correct

o Make a note of your username and password

for the Member’s Only section of www.cbicc.org

o Attend the next Member Information Session

o Add the CBICC’s on-line event calendar to

your Favorites

o Ensure you are getting the CBICC e-mails

delivered to your inbox

o Take the call - an Ambassador will be

contacting you to welcome you to the CBICC;

take this opportunity to ask any questions you

might have or to learn more about the CBICC.

200 Innovation Blvd, Suite 150 • State College PA 16803 • P (814) 234-1829 • F (814) 234-5869 • W www.cbicc.org

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